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Travel Guide » Asia » Hyderabad
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Hyderabad
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(Andhra Pradesh)


Cross Cultural Influences

Hyderabad engulfs you in a traditional warmth. Be it the yummy lipsmacking food, the old buildings including the Charminar, the city weaves a magic spell. A truly magnificent city in every way epitomizes true old world charm, yet progressing by leaps and bounds. The city has a history of over 400 years. It is the fifth largest metropolitan city in the Indian Subcontinent. The enchanting city has been shaped beautifully by a multitude of cross cultural influences. Every corner in Hyderabad can boast of a duality that is harmonious? the confluence of the Hindu and Muslim communities. With its pleasant climate, wonderful shopping areas, magnificent and much talked about cuisine and the amalgam of diverse cultures every street, every monument; every tree must have a wonderful story to narrate. Also called the City Of Pearls, the streets of Hyderabad once saw these precious items being sold on the street like the peanuts being sold these days. The capital city of Andhra Pradesh is one of the most techno savvy cities in India, second perhaps only to Bangalore. It soon might be India's second Silicon Valley. The future, for the city of destiny, looks promising.
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To See & Do

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Lakes
  Hussain Sagar Located in the heart of the city, the Hussain Sagar, popularly known as the Tank Bund, not only bridges the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, but also forms a continuum between Hyderabad's historical glory and contemporary status. Right in the middle of the lake stands a monolith Buddha statue. It is the largest stone statuette of Buddha in the world, at a length of 17.5 m. Osman Sagar This is an artificial lake created by building a dam over the River Musi. A popular tourist attraction, it is also one of the drinking water sources for the city. A sprawling lawn with colourful blooms towards the lower side of the dam is a good place to spend an evening. You can also go boating in the lake.
   

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Monuments
  Charminar A symbol of success, the Charminar, stands tall. This majestic monument in the heart of the old city is the signature of Hyderabad, it was erected by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah to commemorate the eradication of plague from the city in the year 1591. Visitors are allowed inside only the cellar of the monument. It is open till 10 pm. Mecca Masjid Hailed as one of the largest mosques in India, Mecca Masjid can house up to 10,000 worshippers. The mosque owes its name to the fact that the bricks for the central arch were brought from Mecca. Non-Muslims are denied entry into the mosque. Golconda Fort The name Golconda comes from the Telugu word Golla Konda, meaning Shepherds Hill. The majestic fort with eight gates and 87 bastions is famous for its acoustic system, palaces and ingenious water supply system. It had a famous diamond market, and if legend is to be believed, the Kohinoor came from here. Time your visit such that you can catch the sound and light show. English shows are held every day from March to October, 7 pm to 8 pm.Golconda is around 11 km from Hyderabad. Qutub Shahi Tombs Just half a kilometer from Golconda Fort lie the tombs of the Qutub Shahi kings. Inside Ibrahim Bagh, these tombs were once furnished with carpets, chandeliers and velvet canopies on silver poles. Qurans were kept here for people to recite verses at regular intervals. You can visit the tombs on all days except Fridays, between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm. Birla Mandir A blend of Oriya and Dravidian architectural styles, the temple stands on Kala Pahad, facing the Tank Bund. See it at night, when it is lit up. Museums. Salarjung Museum Keep time on hand, the museum has one of the biggest collections of antiques, displayed in 35 rooms. The most famous is the Jade Room which contains belongings of Aurangzeb, Tipu Sultan, Shah Jahan and the Asaf Jahi rulers of Hyderabad. The museum also displays an impressive collection of European and Indian paintings. Salarjung Museum is open all days except Fridays and government holidays, from 10 am to 5 pm. Birla Planetarium In the heart of Hyderabad city, the planetarium holds shows both in Telugu and English. It is open all days, except the last Thursday of the month. Timings are 10.30 am to 8.15 pm.
   

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Gardens
  NTR Gardens Spread over 34 acres, the garden it is unique with large scale use of fibreglass in the form of insects and fruit as well as a number of other attractions such as the Machan Tree, (can't figure out what this means) railway ride and lots more. It's worth visiting especially after the lights are turned on in the evening.
   

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Religious Places
  Mecca Masjid - One of the largest mosques in India, the Mecca Masjid can accommodate 10,000 worshippers / visitors at any given point in time. The construction began way back in 1614 during Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah's reign but was finished during 1687 and several bricks on the central arch were brought all the way from Mecca. Non-Muslims are denied entry into the mosque. Birla Mandir - Overlooking the Tank Bund, the Birla Mandir is an arresting sight when illuminated. Built entirely out of marble from Rajasthan, it stands atop the Kala Pahad. You can view the intricate carvings on the walls of the temple, the ceiling and the mythological figures, all of which are a standing testimony to the dexterity and sculptural excellence of the craftsmen. This magnificent structure is a blend of Orissa & South Indian Temple Art.
   

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Festivals
  Shilparamam has become internationally famous for the Annual Crafts Festival that is organised in the first two weeks of March every year. The Lumbini Festival is organised by the Government of Andhra Pradesh for three days in December and celebrates the state's Buddhist heritage. Deccan Festival highlights Hyderabad's arts, crafts, culture and cuisine. It also includes a pearls and bangles exhibition and a food fair, besides music concerts, dance performances, plays and poetry readings. It is held every April at the Qutub Shahi Tombs. Besides these, Bonalu, Batkamma, Dusshera, Ugadi, and Sankranti are the major festivals celebrated in Hyderabad.
   
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